Weather

Headed to SXM in the morning. Our 4th trip to the island. Been anticipating this trip for 8 months. Picked April this time instead of November as there is less chance for rain. Looked at the weather and it looks like a 5 day tropical storm next week! So disappointing, sure was looking forward to fun and sun, and our day trip to Shoal Bay. I guess El Niño strikes again!

The weather will be fine. For many years we visited the island in April and November, but lately we choose to go for a month in November and travel elsewhere in April. The weather has always been great both months. We find the water is warmer in November and we have never encountered much rain. If it rains a all, we find the showers come during the night when we are sleeping and we are greeted by sunshine during the day. The weather in SXM is tropical so a few showers will be all you see unless a tropical storm is really headed your way. It is not hurricane season so it is rather doubtful that you will have 5 days of rain. That never happens in SXM!

Well, as far as 5 days of rain NEVER happening in SXM, it does happen every once in a while. Several years ago we were in SXM in September and had about 5 days of CONSTANT rain, and were staying at Club O. Not much to do when it rains at Club O!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

But! I seriously doubt you will get five days of rain in April. Could happen, but I doubt it!

We had three solid days of hard rain last year in May. Started the day we arrived and after that it was great for the next three and a half weeks. You never can say never.

Funny you bring that up, a very unusual weather scenario is setting up with a low pressure system moving south from Nova Scotia to Bermuda over the next few days. The counter clockwise flow around the low will reach far to the south running right into the easterly trade winds. That has the potential to case a long period of rain and clouds. No storm, no fronts moving in, just opposing winds colliding lifting up warm moist air. The models have been very consistent over the last two weeks on this event. Either way I'm bringing my umbrella and some warmer clothes and hoping for the best.

Obviously, you didn't really read my response. However, three days is one thing. Five days is another.

When you only have seven days of vacation, it's disappointing 3 days or 5.

Yes, that could happen in September as it is the height of hurricane season, but I was referring to it never happening in April in SXM when the poster is going. Hopefully his weather report is wrong!

O I read it. Just stating what we experienced last May if that was ok to do.

Yes, you are correct. Hopefully that does not come to pass.

In the link below you'll see the scale of the weather system,just massive. You'll note the low pressure system spinning over Bermuda pushing cloudds eastward and the trade winds pushing clouds west creating the convergence zone. The high level clouds (blue and bright while) streaming east carrying surface moisture out completing the upward momentum. All this resulting in clouds and rain. This pattern will be slow to change, like a big ship it's not going to turn on a dime. Now some hope, you can also see on the loop its not total cloud cover and rain and there are bright and sunny spots and if we are lucky they may chance on us during the day. We can have hours long downpours as well. Let's just hope those happen at night. Regardless, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/east/tatl/h5-loop-ir2.html

I like those last wise words - "plan for the worse and hope for the best." It's 7:30 Monday morning and while the skies are heavy and there are lots of gray clouds........it's not raining. Yet! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Our first trip to SXM was April 1993. We had rain 4 of the 7 days we were there. Disappointing, to say the least, but we fell in love with the Island. So we keep on coming. Have never had a week like that one since.

Sitting on our balcony at Le Petit right now. It's been lightly raining on and off all morning but we're getting a few peeks of sun right now. Looks like more rain is coming but it's not too bad.

We arrive tomorrow for 12 days and hope that we will see some sunshine. Thanks for all of the updates. The weather report seems worse than it is actually. Phew!!!

Lobstah and all,

You do know the best way to fend off bad weather is often to prepare for it, right?! If I were coming down this week I would definitely pack the small collapsible umbrellas. Too bad I didn't think about that a week and a half ago - but I'm NOT complaining. It is what it is.

The good news is the nasty weather forecast with the 80 and 90 percent chances of precipitation is calling for showers and not straight out rain. There is rain falling as I write this but a half hour ago it was fine and I think that is pretty much going to be the story from now through the weekend if the local people have it right. The flowers and the gardens will be very happy at whatever precipitation they get as they are seriously in need. Vacationers? Not so much.......<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Pat. We are staying in new villa this year so I guess we will get very familiar with it. Could be worse, could be at home and not in Paradise.

Well, congrats on the new villa. Once upon that was our dream but then we had Grandkids.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Really, if today is indicative of the rest of the week you'll be fine. SXM weather almost always reads partly cloudy so now we'll just view it as partly rainy now and then which its been off and on today. Right now it's hot out and the balcony is calling me even if there are some big dark clouds out there, too...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />